From the study:
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of 2 different periodized exercise rehabilitation programs (resistance training [RT] and aerobic training [AT]) on musculoskeletal health, body composition, pain, disability, and quality of life (QOL) in chronic (>or=3 months; >or=3 d.wk) nonspecific low-back pain (CLBP) persons. Twenty-seven CLBP subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups, 1) RT (n = 9), 2) AT (n = 9), or 3) control (C; n = 9). Subjects were tested at baseline and at weeks 8 and 16 of training. Intensity and volume were periodized in the training groups. Significance was set at p <or= 0.05. No significant differences were noted among the groups at baseline. The RT group significantly decreased body fat percent from baseline to week 8 and from baseline to week 16, whereas the AT group significantly decreased body fat percent and body mass from baseline to week 16. The RT group significantly improved most musculoskeletal fitness, pain, disability, and QOL outcomes from baseline to week 8, baseline to week 16, and weeks 8 to 16. However, the AT group showed significant improvements in flexibility from baseline to week 8 and in cardiorespiratory and peak leg power from baseline to week 8 and baseline to week 16. The AT groups showed no significant improvements in pain, disability, or QOL. The primary finding was that periodized RT was successful at improving many fitness, pain, disability, and QOL outcome measures, whereas AT was not. This study indicates that whole-body periodized RT can be used by training and conditioning personnel in the rehabilitation of those clients suffering with CLBP.
Chad’s comments:
This is another great study by the same authors as my prior blog, but was published two years earler using largely the same exercise program, focusing on total body strength rather than just core stabilization. Subjects also had chronic low back pain but were a little younger, averaging 35-40 years. Rather than compare to a control group that just stayed active, the other experimental group did periodized aerobic training. As the abstract states, group that lifted weights improved their low back disability scores and decreased pain considerably more than the aerobic and control group. Reading the entire did a good job in explaining their exercise selection and helps to dispel some of the errors you continue to hear from the biopsychosocial proponents, many of whom seem to think that all activity/exercise is of equal benefit or consequence to the spine. Rather, movements matter, postures matter, fitness matters, exercise selection matters, and so does your physical therapist if they are not keeping up with the latest in rehabilitation science.
Thanks for reading my blog. If you have any questions or comments (even hostile ones) please don’t hesitate to ask/share. If you’re reading one of my older blogs, perhaps unrelated to neck or back pain, and it helps you, please remember SpineFit Yoga for you or someone you know in the future.
Chad Reilly is a Physical Therapist, obtaining his Master’s in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. Exercise Science also from NAU. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and holds a USA Weightlifting Club Coach Certification as well as a NASM Personal Training Certificate. Chad completed his Yoga Teacher Training at Sampoorna Yoga in Goa, India.
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